Reinforcing and attaching means for cleaning element of mop



May 17, 1955 5 P, VAUGHN 2,798,282

REINFORCING AND ATTACHING MEANS FOR CLEANING ELEMENT OF MOP Filed April 16, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1N VEN TOR. SIDNEY i? VAUGHN AGENT May 17, 1955 s, F, VAUGHN 2,708,282

REINFORCING AND ATTACHING MEANS FOR CLEANING ELEMENT OF MOP Filed April 16 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. SIDNEY I? VAUGHN AGENT United States arent REINFORCING AND ATTACHENG MEANS FR CLEANING ELEMENT F MOP Sidney I. Vaughn, San Diego, Caiif.

Application April 16, 1949, Serial No. 87,976

3 Claims. (Cl. 15-244) My invention relates to a sponge mop, more particularly to an improvement over the structures disclosed in my former patents, Nos. 2,153,601 and 2,1613 19, issued April ll, 1939, and Iuly l1, 1939, respectively, in which a grid type of wringer attachment is provided to squeeze the water out of the sponge element, and the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a sponge mop of this class having a readily disconnectable latch hook means for attaching the cleaning element of a mop to the head thereof;

Second, to provide a sponge mop of this class having stiifening members embedded and bonded in the sponge cleaning element of the mop below the plane on which the backing element is normally secured, and arranged to cooperate with latch hook means to secure the sponge cleaning element to a mop head;

Third, to provide a mop of this class in which the sponge cleaning element is provided with grooves in its upper surface, in which stilfening rods are adhesively fixed, thus presenting a smooth, unobstructed surface at the upper plane of the sponge cleaning element for attachment to a mop head;

Fourth, to provide a compressible .and resilient cellular hygroscopic sponge cleaning element having a face which is provided with at least one groove cut therein of sufficient depth for receiving a rod, with a thin flexible backing sheet free from a groove and extending over and covering said groove and which backing sheet is attached to said face of the sponge cleaning element by an adhesive;

' Fifth, to provide for the secure anchoring of the rod within the groove of the sponge cleaning element by means of an adhesive mass which is bonded to the Walls of the groove and to the rod and which covers the rod, with a thin flexible backing sheet free from a groove and secured to the sponge cleaning element by an adhesive, the rod not extending substantially beyond the face of the sponge cleaning element so that a substantially flat face is provided to facilitate the quick and easy cementing of the flexible backing sheet to such face;

Sixth, to provide a mop of this class incorporating extreme facility and simplicity of removing and replacing cleaning elements from and to mop heads; and

Seventh, to provide a mop of this class which is very simple and economical of construction, eicient in operation, and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in View, as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, and certain modifications, as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective view of my mop, showing the wringer thereof in stationary position adjacent the handle of the mop when not in use; Fig. 2 is an end view of the mop, showing the handle thereof frag- CII mentarily, and illustrating said mop from one end of the cleaning element when in the wringing position; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of my mop; Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken from the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken on the same plane as Fig. 4, showing one of the two stiiening rods embedded in the material of the cleaning element; Fig. 6 is a similar view to Fig. 5, showing a modified means of connecting the stifening rods with the cleaning element; Fig. 7 is a transverse fragmentary sectional view through the plane of the handle; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary top or plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, illustrating the opening in the sponge cleaning element backing into which the mop head hooks may be inserted for connection with the stiEening rods embedded in the sponge cleaning element below the plane of the cleaning element backing; and Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 5, showing the sponge cleaning element having the stilfening members embedded therein, and omitting the backing.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

The sponge cleaning element ll, cleaning element backing 2, stitfening rods 3, mop head 4, hooks 5, mop head latch 6, latch hook 5a, latch clip 7, wringer 8, wringer hinge link 9, wringer handle 19, torsion spring 11, wringer securing clip 12 and the mop handle 13 constitute the principal parts and portions of my mop.

The cleaning element 1, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawings, is preferably a block of cellulose sponge or other suitable sponge material, provided with a fabric, or other exible backing element 2, secured to the upper surface thereof. As shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, below the plane of the iiexibie backing 2, the cleaning element 1 is provided with longitudinal grooves 1a in which the stiiening rods 3 are embedded. These stiffening rods 3 are preferably made of rust proof steel wire, or may be made of any other suitable material, as desired, having a substantially rigid character.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the sponge cleaning element 1 is provided with longitudinal grooves 1a, filled with cement 1b, substantially surrounding the stiffening rods 3, over which the flexible backing element 2 is adhered, it being noted that the stiffening rods 3 are substantially below the plane of the adhesive connecting the cleaning element ilexible backing 2 to the cleaning element 1. In Fig. 9, the sponge cleaning element 1 is illustrated showing similar connection of the stiiening rods 3 thereto, but omitting the cleaning element backing 2, which may be optional.

The primary function of the grooves in the sponge cleaning element is to facilitate the assembly of the stiffening rods 3 and the flexible backing to the sponge cleaning element. First, parallel grooves or slots la are sawed near and spaced inwardly of the front and rear edges of the sponge cleaning element. Second, a self-curing rubber cement is placed in the grooves, after which the stiening rods 3 are embedded in the cement. Third, a self-curing rubber cement is spread evenly over a sheet of fabric, or other suitable flexible material, and the sponge cleaning element is applied to its backing with the stiifening rods adjacent to the backing. After the cement has set, the backing is trimmed flush with the block of sponge. This method of assembly speeds up production over previous methods used, such as illustrated and described in my Patents Nos. 2,298,320 and 2,358,673. The grooves 1a serve to locate the stifeningV rods 3 and hold them in position during the cementing process. The cement 1b covers or extends around the stitfening rod thus securely anchoring it within the groove. This cement forms a tube receiving the stiening rod. The groove has a depth slightly greater than the diameter of the stiening rod so that the upper side of the stiiening rod is substantially flush with the upper face of the cleaning element 1 and the rod does not project outwardly substantially beyond the upper face of the cleaning element 1. The cover or backing sheet Z is thin and flexible and is free from permanent groove or grooves. Since the stiffening rods 3 do not project outwardly above the upper face of the cleaning element il, such upper face is substantially hat, which aids in the convenient and quick securing of the cover sheet 2 to such substantially hat face. The layer of cement which attaches the backing sheet with the cleaning element is also anchored to the cement which covers the stiening rods.

In Fig-6 of the drawings, a flexible rubber backing member 2a is ihustrated, which is adhered to the cleaning element 1 by means of rubber cement 2b, which also surrounds the stilening rods 3 in the recess 1a, as disclosed in Fig. 5 of the drawings. in the construction as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the rubber sheet 2a may be eliminated by using a thick coating of self-curing rubber compound, which will bond also the stiening rods 3 in the grooves 1a of the cleaning element 1. This construction not only provides for etlicient connection of the cleaning element to the mop head, but also provides for the extended life of the cleaning element at its connection with the mop head.

The upper side of the sponge cleaning element 1 and the backing element 2 are provided with openings 1c and 1d, as shown in Fig. 8, through which the hooks 5 and the rnop head latch hook 6a, respectively, extend into engagement with the stilening rods 3. it will be noted that the opening 1d is substantially elongated, to permit the arcuate travel of the hook portion 6a of the .mop head latch 6, which pivots about the axis of the, pin 4a, eX- tending longitudinally through the mop head d, all as shown best in Figs. 4 and 8 of the drawings.

The pins 4a and 4b of the mop head t provide for reinforcing of the mop head 4, which is preferably made of a plate of sheet metal. These pins 4a and 4b also act as hinge pins for the mop head latch 6 and the wringer hinge link 9, respectively. The pins 4a and 4b are held within sleeves 5f and Se formed in the head 4, as shown. The mop head 4 is substantially coextensive with the upper surface of the cleaning element 1, and secured substantially at the middle thereof is the handle socket 4c, which is .provided with clamping flanges 4d, through which the clamp bolt 4e extends, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7 of the drawings. Integral with the portions 4d are the latch clips 7, having notch portions 7a herein, adapted to receive the horizontal bar portion 6b of the mop latch 6, all as shown best in Figs. 3 and 7 of the drawings.

The mop head latch 6 is provided with a pair of spaced the mop head 4, as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 7, is substantially L-shaped in cross-section, and is provided with hinge eyes 9a and 9b, which are pivoted about the axis of the lower bar Sa of the wringer 8, and the axis of the pin 4b of the mop head 5, respectively. Surrounding the lower bar da intermediate the hinge eyes M the wringer hingeV link 9 a torsion spring 11 is provided. The torsion spring has its opposite ends lia and lib bearing against the wringer 8V and the wringer hinge 9, respectively, all as shown best in Fig. l of the drawings. The grid wringer 8 is substantiallyV rectangular, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and is provided with a plurality of individual grille bars 8b, which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning element 1, and which are attached inof the handle Et?, all as shown best in Fig. l of the drawings.

'the ends of the handle arms lita and ilb of the handle Y 10 are secured to the lower bar 8a of the wringer 8 common to the axis of the hinge eyes 9a of the wringer hinge member 9. The upper bar 8c of the wringer frame 8, engages the resilient clip 1.2, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, for holding the handle it) in a position adjacent to the mop handle 13 when not in use. It will be noted that the wringer hinge link 9 is provided with a stop 9c engages the bars 2b at tie rear side thereof, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, thus preventing clockwise movement thereof about the hinge pin 8a beyond the aligned position shown 'in Fig. l. Intermediate the hinge eyes which secures the hinge link to the mop head 4, a stop 9d is provided in the hinge link and a stop 4f is provi-fied in the mop head d to limit the anti-clockwise movement of the hinge link to that position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 7, which places the wringer in proper position for squeezing the water out of the sponge cleaning element. dle 1i) causes the wringer to turn around the opposite hinge pin formed by the lower bar 8a of the wringer 8. It will be noted that the torsion spring 11 keeps the wringer in Contact with the stop 9c of the hinge link 9 until the proper wringing position is reached, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 7, after which the spring gives Vand permits continued anti-clockwise movement of the wringer 8.

The operation of my mop is substantially as follows:

When the mop, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, is used as a cleaning device, the cleaning element 1 is passed over the surface being cleaned in the conventional manner, and when it is desired to disconnect andreplace the cleaning element 1, the latch bar 6b is vertically dellected laterally'of its axis out of engagement with the notch portions a of the latch 7, and the latch member 6 is then pivoted in aclockwise direction, disconnecting the hook portions thereof from the rear stiiening 1oar 3, as shown in Fig. It of the drawings. rhe sponge Vcleaning element 1 may be then removed by downward movement of the rear' edge oi' the cleaning element and retraction of the hooks 5 from the holes 1c, as shown in Figs. 4 and 8, which pro-VV vides for disengagement oi the clips S from the front stillening rod 3.

When it is desired to squeeze the water from 4the sponge cleaning element 1, the wringer handlel10 is moved forwardly and downward in an anti-clockwise movement. This movement disengages the wringer bar 8c from the clip l2. The action of the torque spring 11 keeps the stop 9c in contact with the back of the wringer 8 and causes rotation around the hinge pin 4b until the stop 9d of the hinge link 9 makes contact with the stop 4f formed in the mop head between the hinge eyes 9c. rl`his is the proper wringing position and the degree of compression of the sponge is governed by the length of the hinge link. Further movement of the handle in an anti-clockwise direction causes the wringer to rotate around the hinge pin formed by the lower bar 8a of the grid wringer. This action brings the wringer into contact with the sponge cleaning element, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 7, and squeezes the water out of the sponge cleaning element. When the handle is returned Vto normal position the clip 12 engages the upper bar ,8c ofthe l wringer grid and holds the wringer inV place until again ready for use. in this return movement the wringer turns first around the hinge pin formed by the hinge bar 8a until contact is made with the stop 9c, after whichthe wringer turns around the hinge pin 4b. The movements described above are very important to obtain aY that the hinge link stops and the torsion spring perform a very important function.

Further anti-clockwise movement of the hanfv arcanes Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, and certain modifications, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, nor to the particular modifications, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement, and the modifications, substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mop, a resilient sponge cleaning element having a face provided with permanent grooves cut therein, said grooves being spaced and arranged inwardly of and near and spaced from the edges of the cleaning element, each groove having side walls and a bottom Wall, stiftening rods arranged within the grooves, an adhesive material securing each rod to the side walls and bottom wall of the groove, a mop head arranged upon said face and provided with spaced sleeves, pins held within the sleeves so that the pins and sleeves stien the head, hooks secured to the mop head adjacent to one sleeve to engage beneath one rod, a latch including apertured elements which pivotally receive the pin adjacent to the other rod and hooks carried by the apertured elements to engage beneath the last-named rod.

2. In a cleaning device, a compressible and resilient cellular hygroscopic sponge cleaning element having a face provided with permanent grooves cut therein, rods arranged within the grooves and secured to the walls of the grooves by an adhesive and having their sides next to the open sides of the grooves not extending outwardly beyond the open sides of such grooves for a substantial distance, a relatively thin exible cover sheet free from permanent grooves and extending over the grooves in the sponge cleaning element to cover such grooves and attached to said face of the sponge cleaning element by an adhesive, said face, and rods providing a substantially unbroken surface for the easy and quick attachment of the flexible sheet to the face of said sponge cleaning element by the adhesive, a head, and means connected with the head for engaging the rods.

3. In a cleaning device, a compressible and resilient cellular hygroscopic sponge cleaning element having a face provided with permanent grooves cut therein, said grooves being arranged near and spaced inwardly from opposite edges of said cleaning element, rigid rods arranged within the previously cut grooves and secured to the walls of said grooves by an adhesive and having their sides next to the open sides of said grooves terminating substantially within such grooves, a relatively thin flexible fabric cover sheet free from permanent grooves and extending over said grooves in said cleaning element to cover said grooves and attached to said face of said cleaning element by an adhesive, said cover sheet and said cleaning element having openings formed therein which lead to points beneath said rods, and attaching means including elements to be passed through said openings and engaged beneath said rods.

References Cited in the flle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,538,740 Petersen May 19, 1925 1,978,950 Lillard Oct. 30, 1934 2,093,101 Sendler Sept. 14, 1937 2,186,050 Vaughn Jan. 9, 1940 2,222,368 Lux Nov. 19, 1940 2,229,147 Vaughn Jan. 21, 1941 2,358,673 Vaughn Sept. 19, 1944 2,449,281 Dalton Sept. 14, 1948 2,485,899 McBreen Oct. 25, 1949 2,525,605 Kautenberg Oct. 10, 1950 2,555,858 Olesky June 5, 1951 

